Work fixture and indexing mechanism therefor



Oct. 3, 1944. 'w. K. ANDREW ETAL WORK FIXTURE AND INDEXING MECHANISM THEREFOR 4 Sheets-She'efl Filed Aug. 26 1942 mvsnraes: UILLIHI'I KHNDREUL munms L- HUTGHEHS 8 JOHN B-LUKEfl By: I I

Oct. 3, 1944. w. K. ANDREW ETAL' 0 7 WORK FIXTURE AND INDEXING MECHANISM THEREFOR Filed Aug. 26, 1942 4 She ets-Sheet .2

JNVENYOBS: MILL 14- ANDREI-II.

mL RRIE L2 HUICHENS & JUHN EILUKEY. By a i rill-L r0 Aux/21.

Oct. 3, 1944- w. K. ANDREW ET AL WORK FIXTURE AND INDEXING MECHANISM THEREFOR Filed Aug. 26; 1942 {1 Sheets-Sheet 3 Oct. 3, 1944. w. K. ANDREW .ET AL 2,359,501

WORK FIXTURE AND INDEXING MECHANISM THEREFOR Filed Aug. 26 1942 4 Shets-Sheet 4 Patented Oct. 3, 1944 WORK FIXTURE AND INDEXING MEQHANISM THEREFOR.

William K. Andrew and Morris L. Hutchens, Wauwatosa, and John B. Lukey, Milwaukee, Wis, assignors to Kearney & Trecker Corporation, West Allis, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application August26, 1942, Serial No. 456,444 A 20 Claims.

This invention relates, generally, to work holding fixtures and more particularly to a fixture especially adapted to eiTect indexing and feeding movements of a workpiece relative to a cutting tool.

A general object of the invention is to provide an improved work indexing and feeding mechanism for a machine tool.

Another object is to provide a new and improved Work fixture of the type having transmission mechanism for imparting reciprocating,

a workpiece through a serie of minor indexing movements and major indexing movements automatically.

Another object is to provide a new and improved indexing mechanism for the movable work support of a fixture that includes separate major and minor indexing mechanisms and means for correlating their operation in a manner to effect a series of minor indexing movements of the work support between major indexing movements of the work support.

Another object is to provide a work holding fixture for a milling machine arranged to effect a series of minor indexing movements and including mechanism operative at the end of a series of minor indexing movements to effect amajor indexing movement.

Another object is to provide a work holding fixture by means of which a workpiece may be in dexed about one axis to present successive areas for machining and indexed about another axis in machining each successive area.

According to this invention, an improved fixture is arranged for supporting a workpiece in manner to provide for both longitudinal feeding movements and indexing movements.

movement efiects the indexing during a non-cutting portion of the feeding stroke. Following the indexing movement, the work support is latched and clamped automatically prior to the cutting Driving apparatus operates the fixture to effect reciprocation of a work holder for feeding the workpiece, and mechanism activated by the reciprocating operation. According to a modification of the invention, the workpiece is supported for major indexing movements about one axis and for minor indexing movements about another eccentrically disposed axis, the arrangement being such that successive areas of the workpiece are presented for machining by the major indexing movement while each area is machined by successive cuts spaced by the minor indexing movement. This operation also is automatic, the minor indexing movements being effected as the result of the longitudinal feeding movements and the major indexing movement occurring at the end of a predetermined series of minor indexing movements.

The foregoing objects of the invention, and others which will become apparent as the following description proceeds, may be achieved by the particular work holding fixtures depicted in and described in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary view in perspective of the work and cutter supporting parts of a milling machine equipped with a work holding fixture embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2. is a top plan view of the work holding fixture shown in Fig, 1, parts having been broken away to better disclose the actuating mechanism;

Fig. 3 is a view partly in end elevation and partly in vertical section taken on the plane represented by the line 3- -3 in Fig. 2, parts having been broken away to show the driving mechanism;

Fig. 4 is a view in vertical transverse section taken on the planes represented by the lines 44 in Fig. 2 and showing the working indexing and latching mechanism;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view in vertical longitudinal section through the fixture taken sub stantially on the plane represented by the line 55 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the indexing and latching mechanism in horizontal section, taken on the plane represented by the line 6- in Fig. 4, parts having been broken Fig. '7 is a fragmentary view in vertical transverse section of the support clamping mechanism, taken on the plane represented by the line 'l'-'! in Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is a top plan view generally similar to Fig. 2 but showing a modified form of the invention, parts having been broken away to show the minor and major indexing mechanism;

Fig. 9 is a view in front elevation of the fixture shown in Fig. 8, parts having been broken away to show the actuating mechanism; and

Fig. 10 (sheet 3) is a fragmentary view in vertical section taken on the plane represented by the line Ill-l in Fig. 8 showing. the ratchet mechanism that operates the minor indexing movement.

The work holding fixture to which this in vention is directed may be utilized with any milling machine presenting a suitable supporting structure for the fixture and a cooperating milling cutter. illustrated in' Fig. 1 as an exemplary structure, is of the conventional kneeand columntype. As shown, the machine comprises essentially an upstanding supporting column 'l5 having a work supporting knee I6 slidably mounted for vertical adjustment upon its forward face. The knee It carries a saddle I! mounted for horizontal in and out adjustment and the. saddle, inlturn. carries a transversely movable'work supporting 7 table la in theusual manner, the knee, saddle and table being movable to provide: adjustment in three transverse planes.

For actuating the work supporting fixture embodying the present invention, the table 18 is provided at its right end with a power take-off bracket l9 from which a power take-off shaft 20 extends horizontally above the top of the table. "The work holding fixture is mounted centrally on the table and-the shaft 20 effects an The particular milling machine operative driving connection between the bracket and the fixture.

Mounted in the column l5 above the table is a cutter driving spindle 2.! into which isfitted an arbor 22' carrying a suitable milling. cutter-23in cooperating relationship withthe work supporting fixture. The cutter supporting spindle 2| and the power take-off shaft 20 are driven from suitable power sources through the usual transmission mechanism housed Within the machine.

In preparing to machine an impeller blank, the fixture is mounted on the milling machine table l8 in the proper position and the workpiece is secured upon the fixture. The knee l5, saddle I1 and table 18 are then moved by the usual manually operated adjusting means to bring the workpiece into cooperating relationship with the cutter 23. After the workpiece has been positioned in this manner, no further movement of the work table or its supporting saddle and knee is required since the fixture embodying the present invention provides for all the required lateral feeding movements and intervening indexing movements, the indexing and clamping operations being effected by mechanism operating as a result of the reciprocating feeding movement.

The work holding fixture shown in Figs. 1 to '7, by way of illustrating a practical structure incorporating the invention, comprises a base 3| presenting end flanges 32 provided with slots that receive anchoring bolts 33 cooperating with the usual T-slots 34 in the surface of the table H! for securing the fixtur to the table at any desired position. The base 3| of the fixture carries a transmission housing 35 into which the driving take-off shaft 20 extends. Adjacent to the housing 35,- the base presents a flat portion 36 provided with ways 31 arranged to slidably receive and guide a longitudinally movable work carrying portion or supporting member 38 which is fitted to the ways by gibs and has rotatably mounted upon it an indexable work holder or table 39. I I

Power for effecting longitudinal reciprocating movement of the work carrying body structure 38 of the fixture along the ways 31 on the base is derived from the power shaft 20. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the shaft 20 has mounted upon it within the transmission housing 35 a helical gear wheel 4| that meshes with a complementary helical gear wheel 42 on a vertically disposed shaft shown in Fig. 1. mills-the tops of. the impeller vanes to the desired contour,'the impellerblank being indexed and fed to the cutter alternately to effect successive machining of all the vanes. The second operation is that of straddle milling the vanes to reduce them to a predetermined thickness and it is performed by means of a straddle milling cutter 24 indicated in Fig. 2, the blank being fed and indexed in similar manner. The third operation is that of machining the area between successive vanes by means of a single thin cutter 25, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9. This operation is performed in a somewhat different manner, a series of successive cuts being taken between adjacent vanes by small indexing movements of th workpiece about an eccentrically positioned center, the workpiece then being indexed about its axis by means of a ajor indexing mechanism to present another area machining.

43. meshes with and imparts movement to a worm wheel 45 secured to the outer end face of a cam drum 46 mounted on a horizontal shaft 41 also journalled in the transmission housing 35. The drum 46 is provided with a cam groove 48 which extends completely around the drum and is of such contour as to provide for imparting the desired movement to the movable body portion 38' of the fixture. A cam follower 5| for cooperating with the cam groove 48, is formed on the end. of a stub shaft 52 rotatably mounted in bear-" ings 53 carried by a bearing block 54 that is re leasably retained in fixed position in a sliding bar 55 by means of a set screw 56. The bar 55 is guided for reciprocating movement in a channel 51 in the housing 35 and its forward end is secured to the movable portion 38 of the fixture by a pin 58 to form a driving'connection therebetween.

The mechanism for imparting indexing movement to the work support 39 is actuated by the relative reciprocating movement between the body portion 38 of the fixture and the base 3! through the medium of a lost motion mechanism including a headed rod 6| and a fixed abutment 62 (see Fig. 2). The rod BI is threadedly received in a boss formed on the wall of the transmission housing 35 and locked therein by means of a lock-nut that forms the fixed abutment 62. The

indexing movement of the work support 39 is effected through contact of a portion of the indexing mechanism with the fixed abutment 62 and the retracting movement of the indexing The. shaft 43 also carries a worm 44 that.

mechanism is effected by contact with an enlarged head 63 formed on the inner end of the rod 6 I The work support indexing mechanism (see Figs. 2, 4 and 6) includes a sleeve or ram element 95 mounted for sliding movement in a bore 66 formed in the body portion 38 of the fixture. The sleeve 65 is provided with rack teeth 61 and has an axially extending bore 68 through which the rod 6| extends, the bore having an enlarged portion 59 adapted to receive the head 63 ofthe rod. A shoulder 10 formed .by the junction of the bores 68 and 69, provides a working surface against which the head 63 of the actuating rod 6I operates to effect movement of the sleeve 65 during the return stroke of the work support indexing mechanism. The rack 61 formed on the sleeve 65 meshes with a pinion mounted on a stub shaft 16 journalled vertically in the body portion 38 of the fixture. The shaft 16 also carries a second pinion 11, (Figs. 2, 4 and 6) preferably formed integrally with the pinion 15, that meshes with rack teeth 18 formed on an indexing bar or ram 19 guided for reciprocating movement in a channel 80 formed transversely through the body portion 38 of the fixture as shown in Fig. 2. An indexing paw1 8|, rockably mounted on a pin 82, is housed within a recess 83 formed in the indexing or actuating bar 19, the pawl being normally maintained in contact with the peripheral surface of an indexing plate or template 85 by the action of a coil spring 84. The template 85 is operatively connected to the rotatable work support 39 and is provided on its periphery with a plurality of equally spaced recesses or notches 86 adapted to be successively engaged by the pawl 8| to effect indexing movement of the work support upon each successive cycle of machine operation.

The rotatable work support 39 (see Fig. 5) comprises a disc like member 9| secured to a flange portion 92 of a hub member 93 journalled for rotary movement in a bearing 94 mounted in the body portion 38 of the fixture, the hearing being inclined to the verttical in manner to port 39 in the body portion 38 of the fixture.

The upper end of the hub portion 93 of the work support 39 is provided with a threaded axial bore 91 adapted to receive a stud 98 on which a workpiece may be positioned. The workpiece may be releasably retained in position on the disc 9| of the rotatable work support 39 by the application of a nut 99 to the upper end of the stud 98.

The clamping mechanism (see Figs. 5 and '7) provided for releasably retaining the rotatable work support in indexed position, includes a split ring IOI arranged to float between the template 85, secured to the work support 39, and a portion of the body 38. The split ring IBI is contractible to frictionally clamp the work support 39 on the body portion 38 and presents a bevel surface I02 adapted to cooperate with a complementary surface I03 formed on a ring I04 preferably formed integral with the template 85. A flat upper surface I05 on the ring IOI is adapted to cooperate 38 surrounding the bearing 94.

The ends of the clamping ring IOI are recessed end of the rod I08 is arranged to be contacted by a set screw I09 threaded in the body portion' 38 and adapted to be anchored in desired position of adjustment by a lock-nut IIO. Movement of the other end of the ring IOI is effected by the operation of a push rod III mounted for sliding movement in the body portion 38 of the fixture. The inner end of the rod III is arranged to contact the head of a plug carried by the movable end of the ring IOI and the outer end of the rod is arranged to be contacted by a set screw II2 threadedly receivable in a sleeve element II3 guided for axial movement in the body portion 38. The set screw II2 may be retained in desired position of adjustment in the sleeve H3 by a lock-nut H4. The sleeve element H3 presents a series of rack teeth II5 adapted to mesh with a segmental gear II6 formed on a lever arm II1 pivotally mounted on a pin I I8 secured in spaced ears II9 formed integral with the body portion 38. A cam follower I29 in the form of a roller rotatably mounted on the lower end of the lever H1 is adapted to contact the surface of a cam I2I secured to the base 3! of the fixture, as shown in Figs. 4 and 7.

The clamping and unclamping action of the split ring I9I is effected by the cam I2I and follower mechanism in response to relative movement between the body portion 38 and the fixed base 3! of the fixture. As the body portion 38 is moved away from the housing 35 under action of the transmission, the cam follower I 20 encounters a rise on the cam I2I which results in imparting a rocking action to the lever II1 in a manner to urge the push rod I I I inwardly against the head of the plug in the movable end of the split ring IOI. This results in contracting the ring in opposition to the pressure of the coil spring 01, and causes the respective. surfaces I02 and I95 thereof to engage the cooperating surface I03 of the portion I94 0n the template and the surface I99 on the body portion 38 in a manner to frictionally retain the work support 39 against movement with respect to the body portion 39. The clamping action is completed prior to the engagement of the cutter 23 with the workpiece with the result that the workpiece is firmly anchored during the cutting oper-.

ation.

Upon retraction of the body portion 38 to a position wherein the cutter no longer engages the workpiece, the clamping pressure is automatically released. The release of clamping pressure is effected by the action of the coil spring.

with a bottom surface I06 formed on the body 6) provided for releasably retaining the rotat able work support 39 in-indexed position, is likewise under control of the indexin mechanism. It includes a latching plunger I25 guided in a bearing block I26 for longitudinal sliding movement in a plane normal to the path of movement of the indexing bar I9 with which the plunger I25 cooperates. The plunger I25 is provided atits forward end with a tooth I27 adapted to engage any one of the series of teeth or indexing notches 86 formed in the peripheral edge of the template 85 under the action of a coil Spring I28 that reacts against the outer end of the plunger I25 and a cover plate I29 applied to a boss I30 on the body portion 38 of the fixture to normally retain the plunger in its forward or latching position. The plunger I25 is also provided with a cam surface I 3| arranged to lie within a recess I32 formed in the index bar I9 when the plunger is in latching position.

A latch bar operating pawl I33 having a cam surface I34 is pivotally mounted on a pin I35 (Fig. 4) disposed within the recess I32 in the bar I9 in a'manner to have the cam surface I34 on the pawl I33 engage the cam surface I3I on the plunger I25. By this cooperative action, the pawl effects withdrawal of the tooth I21 from locking engagement with one of the notches 86 in the template against the action of the spring I28, upon the initiating of movement of the in, dex' bar 19 and prior to the operation of the indexing pawl 8| to effect indexing movement of the work support 39. A coil spring I38 disposed within the recess I32 and contacting the latch operating pawl I33 insures the proper cooperation between the cam surfaces I34 and I3I in effecting the automatic release of the latching mechanism upon the initiation of the active or indexing stroke of the index bar I9.

-In completing the indexing stroke of the bar I9, the pawlI33 passes beyond the plunger I25 and is freed from contact with it, the coil spring I28 then acting to urge the plunger I25 to its latching position whereupon the tooth I 21 engages the next successive notch 86 to lock the work support 39 in indexed position. The coil spring I36 provides means for permitting the latch operating pawl I33 to rock a sufficient amount topermit it to pass over the cam surface I3I of the plunger I2-5 upon the return or idle stroke of the index bar I9. The rocking action is imparted to the pawl I33 on the return or idle stroke through the contact between cam surfaces I31 and I38 respectively formed on the plunger I25 and pawl I33 (Figs. 4 and 6).

A brief description of a cycle of operation will serve to clarif the action of the indexing, latching and clamping mechanisms in a manner to emphasize the simplicity of each and the positive manner in which they function to effect the accurate and automatic indexing of a workpiece to permit the completion of a series of spaced cutting operations without the necessity of manual adjustment of the workpiece. As previously mentioned, the workpiece chosen for illustrating the operation of the invention, is an impeller blank which requires accurate machining of the tops and sides of a plurality of equally spaced vanes, and'also the machining of the surfaces of the blank between the several machined vanes.

The first operation, that of milling the top of each vane, is illustrated in Figs. 1 and of the drawings.

As shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings, the movable body portion 38 of the fixture is in its extreme forward position and the cutter 23 has just completed a machining operation on one of the vanes of the blank. Continued rotation of the'cam drum 46 in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 2 results in rapid movement of the body portion 38 of the fixture toward the transmission housing 35 to withdraw the workpiece from contactwith the cutter 23.

This movement is accomplished through the me-' dium of the actuating bar 55 under the action of the cam follower 5| in the groove 48 of the drum 46. the housing 35, the clamping action of the ring IOI is relieved through the action of the spring.

I01 forcing the follower I20 down the sloping surface of the cam I2I. After the body portion 38 has been retracted a suflicient distance to effect clearance between the cutter 23 and the workpiece, the outer end of the sleeve 65 is brought into contact with the lock-nut 62,'thereby limiting movement of the sleeve 65. With the movement of the sleeve 65 thus interrupted, continued movement of the body portion 38 effects partial rotation of the pinion I5 by operation of the rack 61 formed on the now stationary sleeve 65. The rotary movement of the pinion I5 is imparted to the pinion 'II' which in turn initiates.

The-

the axial movement of the index 'bar 19. initial movement of the index bar I9 effects the automatic release of locking engagement between the tooth I2'I on the plunger I25 and an indexing the work support 39, the latching plunger I25 is freed from contact with the latch operating powl I33 and is urged to its latching position under the action of the spring I28 wherein it acts to retain the work support 39 accurately in indexed position. As the drum 46 continues its rotation, the direction of movement of the work support 39 is reversed and it is then moved toward the cutter 23 during which movement the cam follower I20 rides up the sloping surface of the cam I2I to effect the clamping action of the split ring IOI on thework support 39 prior to engagement of the cutter 23 with the workpiece. In the course of this movement, the head 63 of the rod 8! engages the shoulder I0 formed in the sleeve 65 to arrest further movement of the sleeve 65 and effect the retracting action of the index bar I9 through the resulting rotary movement imparted to the pinions I5 and TI.

The second operation, that of straddle milling the vanes, may be effected by the use of a similar fixture having for the most part identical structural elements. In this instance, however,

due to the variance between the angle of the top.

of the vane and the base surface, a work supporting element having a slightly lower degree of pitch is required to support the work receiving stud more nearly in vertical position. For this operation, the cutter 23 i replaced by a gang or double cutter 24 (Fig. 2) designed to insure uniform thickness of each vane, and the drum cam 46 is replaced by one providing a cam groove contoured to give the additional amount of movement required to complete the side milling of the spaced vanes.

The third operation, that of machining the surfaces between the several spaced vanes, may' As the body portion 38 moves toward be efiected by the use of a modified form of mixture, shown in Figs. 8 and 9 of the accompanying drawings, which is designed to effect minor indexing movements of the work support about an eccentri-cally positioned center for the purpose of machining each surface between adjacent vanes by several passes of the relatively thin cutter 25. A major indexing mechanism also is provided to index the work support about the axis of the impeller in such manner that the cutter may complete the entire machining operation between the several vanes n the workpiece in a series of successive operations without requiring any manual adiustment of the workpiece.

The modified form of fixture, shown in Figs. 8' a and 9 of the drawings, is generally similar in construction to that previously described. It includes a base I4I provided with end flanges I42 having slots formed therein adapted to receive anchoring bolts I43 which are receivable in the usual T-slots 34 formed in the surface of the table I8 to secure the fixture in desired position on the table. The base has formed thereon a transmission housing I45 and presents a fiat portion I46 that includes ways I41 adapted to guide a longitudinally movable body portion or work support I48 that carries a pivoted movable member or supporting element I49 on which an indexable work holder or support I50 is mounted. The movable member I49 is oscillatably mounted on the body portion or work supporting structure I48 for pivotal movement about an axis eccentric to that of the indexable work support and it provides a means through which minor indexing movements are imparted to the work support I50. The movable member I49 is mounted on the body portion I48 by the means of a bearing ring I5I, seated in an annular recess I52 formed in the body portion and secured to a hub portion I53 of the member I49 by means of screws I54. The indexable work support I50 is similar in structure to the one previously described, but in the present instance it is supported eccentrically on the oscillatable member I49 in place of being mounted on a fixed center in the movable body portion, as in the other form of the fixture.

The transmission mechanism for imparting reciprocating movement to the body portion I48 of the fixture along the Ways I41, may be identical with that previously described save for the fact that the contour of the cam groove is such that the movement of the body portion is sufficient to permit the cutter 25 to complete the somewhat longer stroke that the nature of the work requires. The transmission mechanism includes a sliding bar I55 secured to the movable body portion I48 of the fixture by means of a pin I56 through which connection the reciprocating movement is imparted to the movable body portion I48.

The relative movement between the body portion I48 and the base I4I of the fixture caused by the action of the transmission provides the means for effecting both the minor and the major indexing movements of the work support I50. In the minor indexing movement, the outer edge of the workpiece is indexed an amount less than the Width of the cutter on each cycle of operation to insure a smooth finish for the sector shaped area that lies between adjacent vanes of the impeller.

The center of pivoting move-- ment for the minor indexing operation is eccening center is so chosen that the innermost part of the sector being machined moves relative to the cutter in an arc of small radius and curving in direction opposite to that of the outer edge of the workpiece. This results in forming a fillet or curved element of desired contour at the inner end of the sector.

The minor indexing movement of the work support I50 is accomplished by imparting periodic movement to the pivoted movable member I49 through the medium of amechanism that includes a drum cam I60 journalled for rotation in ahousing I6I formed on the movable body portion I48 of the fixture and disposed to lie ad-.

J'acent to one side of the member I49. The drum cam I60 is provided with a cam groove I62 extending completely around the drum and adapted to receive a cam follower I 63 mounted on the free end of an arm I64 secured to the member I49 by means of screws I65. Periodic rotary movement is imparted to the drum cam I60 by means of a ratchet mechanism that is actuated by a template cam I10 secured to the stationary base I4I of the fixture. As the movable body portion I48 of the fixture reciprocates in response to the operation of the transmission mechanism, a cam follower I1I in the form of a roller moves over the face of the cam I10 which presents low and high levels I15 and I16 respectively. The cam follower roller "I is mounted on an arm I12 that is secured to a stub shaft I13 journalled in a cover plate I14 attached to the housing I6I. A plate I11 secured to the inner end of the stub shaft I13 carries a spring urged pawl I18 (see Fig. 10) disposed to cooperate with a ratchet wheel I19 secured on the end of a shaft I80. The shaft I is formed integrally with the drum cam I60 in a manner to impart partial rotation to the drum cam each time the arm I12 is urged upwardly in traversing thecontour of the template cam I10.

To insure the proper operation of the ratchet mechanism, the cam follower I1I is constantly retained in contact with the cam I10 by the action of a coil spring I8I disposed within the housing I6I and acting upon a surface I82 formed in the plate I 11. The cam I10 is so arranged that the ratchet mechanism moves the drum cam I60 only when the work support is in the one extreme position wherein the cutter is free from contact with the workpiece.

On each cycle of operation, the partial rotation of the drum cam I60 effects an advancing movement of the arm I64 through the action of the cam groove I62 on the cam follower I63 which causes a minor indexing movement of the work support I50 resulting in presenting a new surface of the workpiece on which the cutter can act during the next cutting stroke in the cycle of operation. The drum I60 is frictionally retained against accidental rotation by means of a brake mechanism which places a frictional drag on the drum to resist any movement thereof other than that imparted by action of the ratchet mechanism. The brake mechanism is fitted in a bore I83 formed in the housing I6I (Fig. 8) and includes a spring urged plunger I84 guided in the bore and positioned to frictionally engage the peripheral surface of the drum.

Upon the completion of a machining operation on one surface, a major indexing operation of the work support I50 is effected to indexthe workpiece to a position wherein the cutter 25 will operate on the surface between the next two succeeding vanes.

' lar cutting stroke.

.i' The major indexing operation of the work support I50 on the movable member I49 is accomplished by a mechanism mounted on the member I49. This indexing mechanism isgenf erally similar in construction and mode of operation to that previously described in connection with the fixture illustrated in Figs. 1 to 7 of the drawings and includes an index bar I85 guided for reciprocating movement in a channel I86 formed in a boss on the member I49. The only material structural difference between the indexing mechanisms lies in the fact that the bar '185, in the modified form of fixture, is mounted on the oscillatable member I49 and is provided with an end portion that extends toward the transmission housing I45 in a manner to be achuated directly by contact with either of a. pair of abutment elements I81 and I88 mounted on the housing. As shown, the abutments are pivotally mounted on pins I89 and I90 respectively secured in laterally spaced ears I9I and I92 formed on a bracket I93 attached to the transmission housing I45 on the base I4I of the fixture The in- [ex bar I85 is normally urged to its outer extreme position through the action of a coil spring I95 disposed within the. channel I86 and reacting against the inner end of thechannel I86'and the end of theindex bar I85. The extent of movement of. the bar I85 is limited by a set screw or pin I96 having its loweror inner end. disposed within a slot I91 formed in the bar I85 and arranged to contact. the ends of the slot to arrest movement of the bar. Theindex bar I85 is provided with latch operatingand indexing pawls I98 and I99. respectively that functionin manner similar to that previously described. in connection with thepawls BI and I133 of the other fixture. h: A. brief description of av cycle ofoperation of the modified form of fixture shown in Figs. 8,, 9 and 10 will serve to clarify the action of the. minor and major indexing mechanisms. As previously mentioned, these mechanisms effect the accurate and automatic indexing of aworkpiece to permit the machining of the sector shaped areas disposed between adjacentvanes of the impeller'and operate to continue the process between each successive pairof vanes in .an'automatic cycle withoutrequiring anymanualadjustment of the workpiece. As shown in Figs. 8 and 9 of the drawings, the movable body portion I48 is in its extreme forward position and the cutter '25whas completed the machining operation for aparticu- Further operation of the transmission mechanism results in rapid. movement of the body portion I.48 of the fixture toward the transmission housing I45 to withdraw the workpiece from contact with. the cutter 25.. As the body portion I48; of, thefixturemoves toward the, housing I45, the cam followerl I'll? 'moves through an idle stroke asit passes from the high surface I16 to the low surface..l 15. of r the cam I19. Continued operation of thetransmission mechanism efiects a. reversal! of' direction in thepathof travelof the body portion I48 with the result that the cam follower Ii1 .I-.moves. through an active stroke from the low to the high level of the'cam I10. and imparts a: rocking action to the armqlfl2 to cause the pawl I 18 to. eifect partial rotation of the drum cam I60 through contact with the ratchet wheel I19.

nThe cam I68 is always moved counterclockwise under the action of the'ratchet mechanism and the oscillatable member I49 will be moved step by step in clockwise direction during one half revolution of the cam I60 and in like mam ner in counterclockwise direction during the ramaining half revolution. The stepby step movement of the escillatable member I49 is conveyed directly to the work support I50 which' is normally retained in latched position onthe member I49, with-the result that a minor indexing movement is imparted'to the workpiece prior to each successivecutting stroke cf'the cutter. The minor indexing movements continue automatically in one directio'n until suchtime as the cam follower I63 reaches an extremeposition in the cam'g-roove' I62 which occurs simultaneously with the last pass of the cutterrequiredto complete the machining operation between-a particular pair of adjacent vanes. As the body portion I48 is drawn toward the housing I 45 after the completion of the last cutting stroke ina particular series of minor indexing movements, a major indexing'movement is effected to cause the workpiece to index to a position wherein the cutter will begin operation between the next successive pair of vanes. r 1

The major indexing movement is effected by contact of the outer end of the index bar I with the one or the other of the abutments I81 and- I88. -With the member I49 movingin a counterclockwise direction, as shown in Fig.8, the end of the index bar I85 contacts the abutment I81yto arrest further movement of the bar I85 upon continued movement. of the body portion I48 of the fixture under the influence of the transmission mechanism. As the body portion I48 continues to move, the arrested movement or"v bar- I=85 causes relative movement -between the bar I85 and the oscillatable member I49 which is carried on the. body portion I48. With the member -I49 continuing to move relative to. the now stationary bar I85, the latching pawl I98 acts to release the locking engagement between the locking plunger and a notch in the indexing plate carried-bythe work support I50. The indexing pawl I99 then engages the next successive notch in the indexing plate to cause a major indexing movement of the work support Upon completion of the major indexing move-' ment between the work support I50 and the-oscillatable member I49, the latching plunger automatically reengages a notch: in the indexing plate to-releasably retain the'work' support I50 and member I49-in fixed: relationship. As the transmission-continues to-drive the body portion I48 toward the cutter, the coil: spring I urgesthe index bar I85 outwardly on its idle stroke to reposition it: for the next successive major indexing operation. This is accomplished by contact between the index bar I85 and the abutment the cutter upon completion of the. last cutting.

stroke in the series. Thisresults in effecting another major indexingmovement of the: work support I50 in the manner previously described.

From the foregoing detailed description of the structure and operation of the illustrativeem-- bodiment'sof 1 the present invention, it will be apparent that a new andfimproved'work fixture and indexing mechanism therefor has been pro vided that is especially adapted for'convenientapplication tothe table of a milling-machine and that operates in a manner to expedite the accomplishment of a machining operation in an automatic cycle, with a degree of accuracy and a saving of time that renders it particularly adaptable for production purposes. 7

Although the illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described in considerable detail for the purpose of making, a full disclosure of a practical and operative structure by which the invention may be practiced,,it is to be understood that various novel features of the invention may be incorporated in other structural forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the subjoined claims.

The principles of the invention having now been fully explained in connection with the foregoing description of the embodying apparatus, we hereby claim as our invention:

1. In a work holding fixture for a machine tool, a work holder, a supporting element arranged to carry said work holder for indexing movement about a predetermined axis, a work support arranged to carry said supporting element for indexing movement about another axis eccentric to the indexing axis of said work holder, means to reciprocate said work support in a feeding movement, means responsive to reciprocating movement of said work support to effect indexing of said supporting element, and indexing mechanism responsive to said reciprocating movement and operative upon termination of a series of indexing movements of said supporting element to effect an indexing movement of said work holder.

2. In a work holding fixture for a machine tool, a base, a work supporting structure slidably mounted on said base, a supporting element pivotally mounted on said structure, a work holder pivotally mounted on said supporting element for indexing movement about an axis eccentric to the axis of pivotal movement of said supporting element, indexing means operative in response to sliding movement of said work supporting structure to effect indexing movement of said pivotally mounted supporting element, and other indexing mechanism operative at the termination of a series of indexing movements of said supporting element to index said work holder.

3. The combination with a machine tool including a rotatable cutter and a stationary fixture support, of a fixture including a base for attachment to said fixture support, a movable body portion mounted on said base, a movable member mounted on said body portion, an indexable work support carried by said movable member, a transmission mechanism operative to impart movement to said bodyportion, a minor indexing mechanism. operative on said movable member in response to relative movement between said body portion and said base to impart a minor indexing movement to said work support, and a major indexing mechanism operative on said work support in response to relative movement between said body portion and said base to impart a major indexing'movement to said work support on said movable member.

4. The combination with a machine tool .including a rotatable cutter and a stationaryfixture support, of a fixture including a base for at.- tachment to said fixture support, a movable body portion mounted on said base, a movable member mounted on said body portion, an indexable work support carried by said movable member, .a

transmission mechanism operative to impart movement'to said body portion, a minor indexing mechanism operative on said movable member in response to relative movement between said body portion and said base to impart a minor indexing movement to said work support, and a major indexing mechanism carried by said movable member and operative on said work support at either extreme position of movement of said member to impart a major indexing movement to said work support with respect to said movable member.

5. The combination with a machine tool including a rotatable cutter and a stationary fixture support, of a fixture including a base for attachment to said fixture support, a movable body portion mounted on said base, a movable member mounted on saidbody portion, an indexable work support carried by said movable member, a latching mechanism operative to normally retain said movable member and said indexable work support in fixed relationship, a transmission mechanism operative to impart movement to said body portion, a minor indexing mechanism operative'on said movable member in response to relative movementbetween said body portion and said base to impart a minor indexing movement to said work support, and a major indexing mechanism operative on said work support in response to relative movement between said body portion and said base to release said latching mechanism and impart a major indexing movement to said work support on said movable member.

6. The combination with a machine tool including a rotatable cutter and a stationary fixture support, of a fixture including a base for attachment to said fixture support, a movable body portion mounted on said base, a movable member mounted on said body portion, an indexable work support carried by said movable member, a transmission mechanism operative to impart movement to said body portion, an indexing mechanism operative in response to relative movement between said body portion and said base to impart indexing movement to said movable member and said work support, and a second indexing mechanism operative to periodically impart an indexing movement to said work support on said movable member.

'1. The combination with a machine tool including a rotatable cutter and a stationary fix ture support, of a fixture including a base for attachment to said fixture support, a movable body portion mounted on said base, a movable member mounted onsaid body portion, an indexable work support carried by said movable member, a latching mechanism operative to normally retain said movable member and said work support in fixed relationship, a transmission mechanism operative to impart movement to said body portion, an indexing mechanism operative in response to relative movement between said body portion and said base to release said latching mechanism and impart indexing move: ment to said movable member and said work support, anda second indexing mechanism operative to periodically impart an indexing movement to said work support on said movable member.

8. In a work holding fixture, the combination with a base, of a movable body portion on said base, a movable member on said;body portion, an indexable work support on said movable member, a transmission mechanism operative to move said body portion, a minor indexing mechanism responsive to relative movement between said body portion and said base for imparting movement to said movable member and work support, and a major indexing mechanism responsive to movement of said member for periodically effecting indexing movement of said -work support with respect to said movable member.

9. In a Work holding fixture, the combination with a base, of a movable body portion on said base, a movable member on said body portion, an indexable work support on said movable 'member, a latching mechanism operative to nor- 'mally retain said movable member and indexable work support in fixed relationship, a transmission mechanism operative to move said body portion, a minor indexing mechanism responsive to relative movement between said body portion and said base for imparting movement to said movable member and work support, and a major indexing mechanism responsive to movement of said member for periodically effecting the release -of said latching mechanism and imparting a major indexing movement of said work support with respect to said movable member.

10. A work holding fixture comprising a base for attachment to a fixture supporting member of a machine tool, a body portion guided for reciprocating movement on said base, a transmission operative to efiect reciprocating movement of said body portion, a movable member mounted'on said body portion, an indexable work support mounted on said movable member, a minor indexing mechanism operative upon movement of said body portion to effect unitary minor indexing movement of said movable member and worksupport, and a major indexing mechanism operative at predetermined positions of said'movable member to efiect major indexing of said work support relative to said movable member.

11. A work holding fixture comprising a base for attachment to a fixture supporting member of a machine tool, a body portion guided for rec'iprocating movement onsaid base, a transmission operative to effect reciprocating movement of said body portion, a movable member mounted on said bodyportion, an indexable'work support mounted on said movable member, a minor indexing mechanism operative uponmovement of said body portio-nto effect unitary minor indexing movement of said movable member and work support, and a'major indexing mechanism rendered operative by movement of said movable member 'to either of two extreme positions of movement to effect independent indexing movement of said work support relative to said movable member.;

member, an indexing 'mechanism responsive torelative movement between said base and said bodyportion and operative to effect lateral movement of said member anda minor indexing movement to said work support, and a second indexing mechanism responsive to lateral movement of saidmember and operative to effect a major indexing movement to said work support with respect to said movable member.

13-. Ina work holding'fixtur-e, the combination with-a base, of a body portion movably mounted on said base, a transmission mechanism for effecting reciprocating movement of said body portion on said base, a movable member oscillatably mounted on said body portion; an indexable work support carried by said movable member, an indexing mechanism on said body portion and operatively associated with said member, cam means operative to actuate said indexing mechanism whereby said member and work support are indexed simultaneously, and a second indexing mechanism carried by said movable member, said second indexing mechanism being associated With said work support and operative in response tolateral movement of said member and reciprocating movement of said body portion to index said work sup-port with respect to said movable member.

14. In a Work holding fixture, the combination with a base, of a body portion movably mounted on said base, a transmission mechanism for effecting reciprocating movement of said body portion on said base, a movable member oscillatably mounted on said body portion,

an indexable work support carried by said movable member, an indexing mechanism carried by said body portion and including a ratchet mechanism operative to impart simultaneous movement to said movable member and work support on each cycle of reciprocation of said body portion, a latching element operative to normally retain said movable member and work support in fixed relationship, and a second indexing mechanism carried by said movable member and operative in response to lateral displacement of said movable member and reciprocating movement of said body portion to release said latchelement and effect indexing of said work support with respect to said movable member 15. In a work holding fixture, the combination with a base, of a body portion movably mounted on said base, a transmission mechanism for effecting reciprocating movement. of said body portion on said base, a movable member oscillatably mounted on said body portion, an indexable work support carried by said movable member, an indexing mechanism carried by said body portion and including a ratchet mechanism operative to impart simultaneous movement tosaid movable member and work support on each cycle of reciprocation of said body portion, a latching element operative to normally retain said movable member and work support in fixed relationship, an abutment on said base, and a second indexing mechanism carried by said movable member including an element adapted for contact with said abutment and operative in response to lateral displacement of said movable member and reciprocating movement of said body portion'to release said latching element'and effect indexing of said work support with respect to said movable member. a

16. In a work holding fixture, the combination with a base, ofa body portion movably mounted on said base, a transmission mechanism for effecting. reciprocating movement of said body portion on said base, a movable member oscillatably mounted on said body portion, an-indexable work support carried by said movable member, a cam element on said base, a cam follower on said: body portion, an-indexing mechanism responsive to the action of said cam element and follower and operative to effect lateralmovement of saidmember and-a minor indexing movement to said work support, and a second indexing mechanism responsive to lateral movement of said member and operative to effect a major indexing movement to said Work support with respect to said movable member.

1'7. In a work holding fixture, the combination with a base, of a body portion movably mounted on said base, a transmission mechanism for effecting reciprocating movement of said body portion on said base, a movable member oscillatably mounted on said body portion, an indexable work support carried by said movable member, a cam element on said base, a cam follower on said body portion, an indexing mechanism carried by i said body portion and including a ratchet mechanism operative to impart simultaneous movement to said movable member and Work support on each cycle of reciprocation of said body portion, a latching element operative to normally rctain said movable member and work support in fixed relationship, an abutment on said base, and a second indexing mechanism carried by said movable member and including an element adapted to contact with said abutment and operative in response to lateral displacement Of said movable member and reciprocating movement of said body portion to release said latching element and eflect indexing of said work support with respect to said movable member.

18. In a work holding .fixture for a machine tool, a base, a supporting member movably mounted on said base for step-by-step indexing about a predetermined pivot point, a work holder pivotally mounted on said supporting member for indexing movement about a pivot point spaced from the pivot point of said supporting member,

and transmission mechanism arranged to effect coordinated indexing movements of said supporting member and said work holder, the arrangement being such that successive elements of a work piece on saidwork holder may be moved in an arcuate path to provide for machining a series of arcuate contours thereon.

19. In an indexing mechanism for a machine tool, a supporting structure, an indexable member rotatably mounted on said supporting structure, an indexing plate associated with said member, a latching plunger resiliently urged to lock said indexing plate in predetermined position, an actuating bar arranged to be moved tangentially of said indexing plate, a pawl pivotally mounted on said bar and arranged to have Wedging engagement with said latching plunger when said bar is moved in one direction to release it from said indexing plate, and an indexing pawl pivotally mounted on said bar and arranged to engage said indexing plate after said latching plunger has been released to effect an indexing movement of said indexable member, said pawls being arranged respectively to ride over said latching plunger and said indexing plate on the return movement of said actuating bar.

20. In an indexing apparatus for a machine tool, a base, a supporting member slidably mounted on said base, an indexable element carried by said supporting member, means to effect reciprocating movement of said supporting member on said base, a ram slidably mounted for longitudinal movement in said supporting member, a lost motion mechanism connected toeffect movement of said ram in response to sliding movement of said supportingmember, a second ram slidably mounted for movement transversely of said supporting member, means interconnecting said rams to cause movement of said second ram in response to movement of said first ram, a latching plunger disposed to retain said indexable element in indexed position, a pawl carried by said second ram and arranged to disengage said latching plunger upon an indexin movement of said ram, and an indexing pawl carried by said second ram and operative to effect indexing movement of said indexable element subsequent to disengagement of said latch.

W'IL'LIAM K. ANDREW. MORRIS L. HUTCHENS. JOHN B. LUKEY. 

